Bruce Dickinson has told NME that the veteran metal band will headline Britain’s next Download Festival at Donington.

Iron Maiden’s June 15 appearance next summer will be their third headlining slot at Download.

Bruce Dickinson said: "I'm incredibly excited about it. It's been 25 years since we first did Donington and to go back with this setlist, which is very similar to the one we played then, is a joy. I've not seen the rest of the bill yet, but I look forward to finding out."

Dickinson is especially pleased that volume is never an issue at Download. "It's the only place in the U.K. where you can make a proper racket,” he said. “There might be places in Highlands of Scotland, but at Reading, if the wind blows the wrong you have to go and stand at the other end of the field. And at Hyde Park if you ruffle a crisp packet you can't hear the music, it's all gone a bit PC. But not at Donington, where you can make a suitably loud racket."